BRADENTON, Fla. -- One of the major themes of this Pirates Spring Training is competition, and while camp is at the midway point, there are still plenty of questions that need to be answered -- especially when it comes to who will claim the final two rotation spots and the second catcher job. While it is still way too soon to declare a winner in any roster battle, enough time has passed to have some takeaways.

There’s a strong case to be made that Henry Davis has had the most impressive spring at the plate for any Pirate, homering in three straight starts while posting a .400 batting average through his first six games. His offensive output in his rookie season left a bad taste in his mouth, inspiring him to go train at the Driveline Baseball facility in suburban Seattle to learn more about his swing. He’s shown drastic improvement in approach and results this spring, handling breaking pitches far better than he did last year.

But an offensive bounce back is not too surprising given Davis' pedigree as a top prospect, and track record as a hitter in college and the Minors. The team wants to know first and foremost if he can catch at the Major League level, and so far, the results have been favorable.

"The work he did in the offseason, which you knew he was doing, has come into the games,” general manager Ben Cherington said Tuesday. “... He basically hasn't been noticeable, in a good way. Receiving has been good. He's getting pitches on both sides of the plate.”

Cherington said the catcher competition is still ongoing, and that Jason Delay and Ali Sánchez are still in the mix to join Yasmani Grandal on the Opening Day roster. However, if Davis keeps this up, it would have to force the Pirates' hand. Worst case scenario, there are ways to get Davis in the lineup besides just catching, and they need a bat like his.

Starting pitching, on the other hand, is a bit less clear.

While the door isn’t completely closed on potential additions, Cherington said they are “mostly focused on the guys who are here.” He also mentioned there are about seven or eight pitchers competing for those final two rotation jobs, which is a fairly wide net.

There are some obvious candidates, like Luis L. Ortiz, Quinn Priester and Roansy Contreras. All three had high expectations going into last year and hit some bumps in the road. That’s hardly catastrophic, but it made them have to prove they were ready for another chance in the rotation this spring. They’ve mostly done that so far, with Contreras in particular receiving favorable reviews internally.

“Lot of guys have taken a step forward, we think, from the end of last season,” Cherington said. “More innings. More to learn here in the next three weeks or so. We have time to sort that out. But that competition will be strong for the remaining rotation spots."

Bailey Falter is also in competition for a spot, as are recent additions Chase Anderson and Josh Fleming. But does that list of seven or eight include No. 3 prospect Jared Jones, who has wowed in his three outings this spring but has yet to reach the Majors? If it’s not for the Opening Day squad, would he be in a position where he’s just a phone call away at any time? He’s arguably had the best spring of any starter thus far.

That may put more pressure on guys like Contreras, Ortiz, Falter and Priester now, considering the starting pitching depth could actually improve during the season. JT Brubaker and Mike Burrows are on pace to return midseason from Tommy John surgeries. Paul Skenes won’t make the Opening Day roster, but a 2024 debut seems probable. If they don’t win this competition now, the field is just going to get more crowded later in the year.

"The easy answer, when you think you have enough pitching, get more,” Cherington said. “That would be a great problem to have where we've got more really good options than we have room for. … [We’re] trying to build towards that. Michael and JT are working their tails off to be part of that conversation as we get to the middle of the season. In the meantime, we'll focus on the guys that are out there and healthy and competing. Again, we're encouraged by what that group has done so far."

Davis homered in three straight spring starts this week. Who was the last Pirates catcher to homer in three straight regular season games?

A) Jason Kendall
B) Ryan Doumit
C) Manny Sanguillen
D) Hal Smith

This week, the University of Louisville baseball team unveiled the Henry Davis Locker Room at Jim Patterson Stadium, named after their alumnus and Pirates catcher, who helped make the renovations happen.

It was at Louisville that Davis rose from an under-the-radar prep player to the No. 1 overall pick in the 2021 Draft, and he wants to help return the favor. The new facility boasts revamped lounge areas, a barber shop, lighted nameplates and more.

“They needed it,” Davis said. “They had a pretty old locker room. Just trying to give back anyway I can. I owe a lot to them.”

MLB Pipeline updated its list of the Pirates’ Top 30 prospects Tuesday. Pitchers dominate the top of the list, with six of the team’s top seven prospects being pitchers, four of them are on the Top 100 list. They are the only team with four starters in the Top 100.

The full list can be found here.

B) Ryan Doumit

Doumit is the most recent Pirates catcher to homer in three straight regular season games, clubbing four home runs from June 10-12, 2008. Also accomplishing the feat were Ronny Paulino (August 4-6, 2006), Kendall (August 9-12, 1998) and Mark Parent (May 19-21, 1995).

To subscribe to Pirates Beat, visit this page and mark "Pirates Beat" from our newsletter list. Make sure you're following the Pirates or that they're checked as your favorite team.

View Online